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criteria - 2 dictionary results
cri⋅te⋅ri⋅on
[krahy-teer-ee-uh
n] 
–noun, plural -te⋅ri⋅a [-teer-ee-uh] , -te⋅ri⋅ons.
[-teer-ee-uh] , -te⋅ri⋅ons. | a standard of judgment or criticism; a rule or principle for evaluating or testing something. |
Origin:
1605–15; < Gk krit
rion a standard, equiv. to kri- var. s. of kr
nein to separate, decide + -tērion neut. suffix of means (akin to L -tōrium -tory 2 )
1605–15; < Gk krit
rion a standard, equiv. to kri- var. s. of krnein to separate, decide + -tērion neut. suffix of means (akin to L -tōrium -tory 2 )Related forms:
cri⋅te⋅ri⋅al, adjective
Usage note:
Like some other nouns borrowed from the Greek, criterion has both a Greek plural, criteria, and a plural formed on the English pattern, criterions. The plural in -a occurs with far greater frequency than does the -s plural: These are the criteria for the selection of candidates. Although criteria is sometimes used as a singular, most often in speech and rather infrequently in edited prose, it continues strongly in use as a plural in standard English, with criterion as the singular.
Like some other nouns borrowed from the Greek, criterion has both a Greek plural, criteria, and a plural formed on the English pattern, criterions. The plural in -a occurs with far greater frequency than does the -s plural: These are the criteria for the selection of candidates. Although criteria is sometimes used as a singular, most often in speech and rather infrequently in edited prose, it continues strongly in use as a plural in standard English, with criterion as the singular.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
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Link To criteria
| cri·te·ri·on (krī-tîr'ē-ən) n. pl. cri·te·ri·a (-tîr'ē-ə) or cri·te·ri·ons A standard, rule, or test on which a judgment or decision can be based. See Synonyms at standard. [Greek kritērion, from kritēs, judge, from krīnein, to separate, judge; see krei- in Indo-European roots.] cri·te'ri·al (-əl) adj. Usage Note: Like the analogous etymological plurals agenda and data, criteria is widely used as a singular form. Unlike them, however, it is not yet acceptable in that use. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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